MOTHER EARTH NEWS

EDITORS’ PICK I just finished reading “Planning the Plan” by James A. “Hoss” Boyd and Karena Reese (April/May 2023). I’m looking forward to the next article in this series. Even though I’m too old to think about starting a homestead, I still like to

About 10 years ago, Bryan Deans, head of OLCERI, helped build the first walipini on the Pine Ridge Reservation after years of tornadoes and high winds destroyed large parts of the area. After stumbling upon Earthship technology, Deans had an epiphany

I must be setting a record for longevity and determination. I’m now celebrating my 40th year of living off-grid in western Oregon. I didn’t grow up this way. While I’m related to generations of homesteaders, I grew up in the New Jersey suburbs less t

In March of 2020, a rabbit-specific virus began to spread throughout the United States. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV2) has spread to nearly half the states in the country and has been observed in both wild and domestic rabbits. The v

You asked, we answered! Last canning season, a reader reached out and expressed frustration that he couldn’t find information on how the canning process affects food’s nutrition. So, we assigned Rebecca to the task! If you have article requests, send

Elderberry. Some praise it; others caution against using it. But elderberry is full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and is a tasty addition to your apothecary and pantry. Elderberry has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years. T

■ Tackle do-it-yourself projects with our handy plans.■ Learn practical preparedness strategies for the whole family.■ Get advice on hunting and fishing all year long.■ Choose and care for livestock of all kinds.■ Pick up gardening and landscaping id

With tick-borne illnesses on the rise, you may be looking for ways to prevent your furry friends from picking up these unwelcome parasites and bringing them into your home. Not only can ticks spread disease, but they can also cause skin problems and

This article is available online in audio form at MotherEarthNews.com The sticker shock you’ve likely experienced at the gas pump in the months since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, might be a potent reminder of our economy’s fragile depe

We love hearing how folks from all over find inspiration, practical advice, and community through our publications and our Fairs. Enjoy this story from a longtime Mother earth News reader and fairgoer, and perhaps we’ll see you at our next Fair! — Mo

Making your own infused vinegars is even better than creating vinegars from scratch. You just need a good base vinegar to start. From there, you can infuse it with almost anything that’s not poisonous or unhealthy. The first stage involves taking sev

This article is available online in audio form at MotherEarthNews.com America has always been a mix of cultural food traditions. Its wealth of foodways (the agricultural and culinary traditions around food) allows us to be part of an expansive awaren

In the U.S. alone, the disposable diaper industry has become a $7 billion behemoth—and growing. And while disposables have had a foothold in the market since the mid-20th century, cloth diapering is still a viable option and has been growing in popul

What comes to mind when you hear the words “self-sufficiency” and “homesteading”? Acres of pasture? Livestock? Solar panels on top of the quintessential red barn? These can be part of homesteading, but they aren’t requirements. Homesteading is, more

In the early part of the 20th century, New York City was filled with cars. Electric cars. To power the electric cars, there were charging stations. So many charging stations that maps could be purchased or obtained to find them. According to www.TheH

In the past few years, the canning world has been rocked by a combination of supply-chain shortages and a massive uptick in the number of people interested in home food preservation. The result, has been that supplies, notably lids, have become less

Whenever I walk through my garden, I find something withered that needs pruning. Removing those “dead-heads” makes room for new plant growth. Whether it’s a green weed or a colorful flower, Mother Nature demands constant turnover. Depending on which

Whether you’re clearing weeds from your vegetable plot, pruning perennials, or potting herbs for your kitchen window, precautions will ensure a successful experience. Any gardener with a season under their belt can attest to the importance of plannin

Accumulating enough cream to fill your butter churn can take time. Your yield will vary depending on the season and your herd size, so you may want to wait until you have larger amounts of cream. Or, maybe you should’ve made butter before now and jus

Share your unique perspective with our community by submitting photos of inviting gardens, nutritious foods, wild animals, and more to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Photo Group on Flickr (www.Flickr.com/Groups/MotherEarthNewsPhotos/Pool). We’ll feature our f

As a reader of Mother Earth News, you qualify to receive a free bottle of fresh-pressed extra virgin olive oil (valued at $39). It comes to you direct from the new harvest at one of the world’s top artisanal farms, courtesy of T. J. Robinson, the Oli